How to Partner with HISD

  • Why become a partner with HISD?

    Partnerships help HISD provide Houston's children with both a top-quality education and access to our world-class city. Partners can make a big difference in students' lives by providing role models, helping increase the graduation rate, and taking part in preparing the next generation. Partnerships are mutually beneficial relationships between schools and organizations in the community. 

    Benefits for the Partner

    • Assisting students to achieve
    • Sharing knowledge and talents
    • Providing active support for quality education
    • Opportunity to impact a student's life
    • Promote community engagement and create a culture of caring

    Benefits for the Students

    • Enriched learning experiences
    • Additional personalized attention
    • Learning reinforcement
    • Positive adult role models
    • Opportunities to envision their future

    Benefits for the School

    • Improved student achievement, attitude, and behavior
    • Community support
    • Additional services without extra cost



    How do partnerships work?

    Virtually every HISD school is in partnership with its community through the Volunteers in Public Schools or the Community Engagement programs. Each partnership depends upon the needs of the respective school and its partner’s capacity to share resources. The usual steps for forming partnerships are:

    • Identify your group’s/company’s resources and/or areas of expertise that may be shared with a school or the district.
    • Complete the Partner Intake Form  
    • The Community Partnerships office will schedule a meeting to discuss your interest in forming a partnership with a school. After the initial conference,we will offer suggestions for partnership activities and for matching the group/business with an appropriate school/department(for districtwide efforts)
    • Meet with the administrator of the selected school/department and discuss the school’s needs.
    • Proposal of partnership activities will be reviewed and consensus reached by partner and the district.
    • Company liaison is selected and responsible for coordinating the partnership.
    • Volunteer orientation takes place at the company with tips for tutors, mentorship training, administrative procedures, scheduling, etc.
    • Volunteers and teachers meet at the school to discuss activities, schedules, and students.
    • Complete End-of-year evaluation of the partnership completed by partner.
    What partnership activities are needed?

    There are many services that partnerships provide at individual schools, within vertical teams and/or geographic areas and administrative districts, and throughout the district. Partners agree to provide resources or skills in a particular area of expertise. This can include volunteers and/or financial and in-kind resources. Within individual schools, partnership services may include the following:

    • Tutoring/mentoring for students and adults - academic assistance, career counseling, job-seeking skills, role models, literacy programs, and parenting skills
    • Incentives for students and faculty - academic and attendance recognition, self-esteem, and conduct awards
    • Speakers - role models, career resources, and community resources
    • Donations - in-kind services and funding for programs, instructional materials, school improvements, and special events
    • Enrichment - contest judging, staff development, special events, internships, and field trips
    • Expertise on school improvement issues - training and workshops on strategic planning, flexible budgeting, team building, and technology
    Where can I find more information about a particular school or location, as well as its demographics, student population, etc.?
    Visit any of the links below:
  • Community-Based Organizations   Corporate Partners   Information for School Leaders
    Organizations aimed at positively impacting the HISD community's social health, well-being, or other functional area to best serve the district's students and families.

    		  
    Organizations in the private sector aimed at fostering a mutually beneficial relationship that best serves the students and families of HISD. 

    		  
    Resources and information for school principals, deans, assistant principals, and counselors with additional information about the district partnership process.